Parts of the Brain

Cerebrum (Forebrain)

The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher brain functions like thinking, voluntary movement, and sensory processing.

Cerebral Cortex (Cerebrum)

Outer layer of the cerebrum; responsible for conscious thought, perception, and voluntary movement.

Frontal Lobe (Cerebrum)

Involved in decision-making, problem-solving, motor control, and speech (Broca’s area).

Parietal Lobe (Cerebrum)

Processes sensory information like touch, temperature, and pain.

Temporal Lobe (Cerebrum)

Involved in hearing, language comprehension (Wernicke’s area), and memory.

Occipital Lobe (Cerebrum)

Primary center for visual processing.

Corpus Callosum (Cerebrum)

A thick band of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres and facilitates communication between them.

Basal Ganglia (Cerebrum)

Involved in coordination of movement and reward processing.

Diencephalon (Part of Forebrain)

Acts as a relay and integration center for sensory information and autonomic functions.

Thalamus (Diencephalon)

Relay station for sensory signals traveling to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus (Diencephalon)

Regulates homeostasis (e.g., hunger, thirst, body temperature) and links the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland.

Epithalamus (Diencephalon)

Includes the pineal gland; regulates circadian rhythms via melatonin production.

Pituitary Gland (Diencephalon)

The master endocrine gland, regulated by the hypothalamus.

Cerebellum (Hindbrain)

Coordinates voluntary movements and helps maintain posture, balance, and motor learning.

Cerebellar Cortex (Cerebellum)

Outer layer of the cerebellum involved in motor coordination.

Arbor Vitae (Cerebellum)

Tree-like structure of white matter inside the cerebellum that carries information.

Vermis (Cerebellum)

The central area that connects the two hemispheres of the cerebellum.

Brainstem

Connects the brain with the spinal cord and controls vital involuntary functions.

Midbrain (Brainstem)

Controls eye movement, visual and auditory processing.

Pons (Brainstem)

Regulates sleep and breathing; relays signals between the cerebellum and cerebrum.

Medulla Oblongata (Brainstem)

Controls autonomic functions like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.

Reticular Formation (Brainstem)

A network of neurons involved in alertness, sleep-wake cycles, and attention.

Limbic System

A complex set of structures that lies on both sides of the thalamus; responsible for emotions, memory, and arousal.

Amygdala (Limbic System)

Processes emotions such as fear and pleasure.

Hippocampus (Limbic System)

Essential for the formation of long-term memories and spatial navigation.

Cingulate Gyrus (Limbic System)

Regulates emotions and pain; involved in behavior prediction.

Fornix (Limbic System)

A bundle of nerve fibers that connects parts of the limbic system.